Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Normal
I had the same issues you do.....a small space that is difficult to segregate the littles from the 2 olders. I did what you did with one change...Once they were all happy in my fenced yard free ranging and keeping distance (about 4 days), I snuck the littles in the coop in the dark, popped them on the roost and they all woke up together.Like you, the littles screamed like they were dying when the big girls chased them out in the morning, but my big girls werent violent so i knew it was just bullying to establish the order.For 1-2 weeks the 6 stayed in their fenced yard while the biggies were closed in the run, and i would swap them out mid day. I would put the littles in the run so at bedtime, i could pop them in the door to roost first. (side note...Thats did NOT work, so i swapped it where the big girls went in to roost first. Much better!) The littles had a few minutes to play everywhere then head up. They learned to get in by themselves real quick once they knew the big girls were roosting. They also learned to stay roosted till the big girls had gone out for breakfast!Finally, I opened the run door and let them all mingle supervised, making sure the littles had hiding places to go to as they screamed their heads off! I feel like as long as you know your big girls wont attack and you can supervise, try it! Full disclosure, i have a chick cam in the coop to make sure there was no violence! Good luck, you will get there for sure!
I had the same issues you do.....a small space that is difficult to segregate the littles from the 2 olders. I did what you did with one change...Once they were all happy in my fenced yard free ranging and keeping distance (about 4 days), I snuck the littles in the coop in the dark, popped them on the roost and they all woke up together.
Like you, the littles screamed like they were dying when the big girls chased them out in the morning, but my big girls werent violent so i knew it was just bullying to establish the order.
For 1-2 weeks the 6 stayed in their fenced yard while the biggies were closed in the run, and i would swap them out mid day. I would put the littles in the run so at bedtime, i could pop them in the door to roost first. (side note...Thats did NOT work, so i swapped it where the big girls went in to roost first. Much better!) The littles had a few minutes to play everywhere then head up. They learned to get in by themselves real quick once they knew the big girls were roosting. They also learned to stay roosted till the big girls had gone out for breakfast!
Finally, I opened the run door and let them all mingle supervised, making sure the littles had hiding places to go to as they screamed their heads off! I feel like as long as you know your big girls wont attack and you can supervise, try it! Full disclosure, i have a chick cam in the coop to make sure there was no violence! Good luck, you will get there for sure!
Our weekly newsletter delivers chicken-raising tips, adorable photos, & insider secrets. Plus, you’ll get access to special deals & contests. Unsubscribe at any time. Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy.
BONUS: if you join-BYC here, you won't see this notice & you'll see fewer ads)